Guitar Lessons in Tampa, FL

Instruments: Guitar Trumpet Acoustic Guitar

What advice do you have about practicing effectively?
Practicing is not enough. Practicing correctly is vital to growth as a player. Also the amount of time practiced is important, however it is also very important to the endurance of the player to rest during a practice regiment. Endurance will be increased as resting equal to the time playing is achieved. This is important during practice time and in between practice times. Like building any muscles, there must be ample time for muscles to recuperate after each use. Breathing exercises can be very beneficial as well in the practice routine that doesn't require the instrument.

How do I know if my child is ready to start lessons?
If the prospective student is showing lots of interest and is at least at a fourth grade level, then careful consideration should be given to the start of private music lessons.

When will I start to see results?
Results will be be dependent upon several factors. Time spent practicing and ability of the individual.

Did you have a teacher that inspired you to go into music? How did they inspire you?
I had a desire to play professionally after about a year of starting trumpet. I then took advantage of a summer music program where I had a teacher that I had heard of and really wanted to study with. He inspired me by his playing and accomplishments.

Why did you choose your primary instrument?
My instrument was chosen for me by a band director during a placement exercise.

What musical accomplishments are you most proud of?
I am most proud of the music artists/groups that I have had the privilege of playing with and the studio work I did in Nashville.

Have any of your students won awards or been selected for special honors? How have they succeeded?
My secondary instrument is guitar. I had a beginner student that took to my instruction and followed his desire through college and is now playing professionally in a band.

What do you think is the hardest thing to master on your instrument?
I think technique is one of the hardest things to master on any instrument.

Do you use specific teaching methods or books? (Ex: Alfred, Bastion, Suzuki, Hal Leonard) Why did you choose them if you did?
I use the Arban comprehensive study along with the Clarke Technical and Characteristic exercises. Also the Earl Irons and William Adams method books.

What does a normal practice session look like for you?
Thirty minutes of warm up, including long tones, scales and flexibility. After warming up I move to music selections that have different challenges, technique, style and range.

If you have a Music Degree, what is it in (Performance, Education, Musicology, Theory, Composition, etc) and why did you choose that degree?
I chose music education since you don't acquire professional playing jobs w a degree. The music education degree gave me a good overall knowledge and a degree that I could use to teach in addition to playing.

What is your dream piece to perform and why?
I have lots of musical selections that I love performing. From the classical side, I prefer the Artunian Concerto. I love the accompaniment.

If you weren't a musician what do you think you'd be doing instead?
I simply have no other passions other than music.

What is your favorite style/genre of music to play and why?
Big band and Pop are two styles I like playing the most. To me they are what I prefer and that I find most fun to play.

If you play more than one instrument, how did you decide to start playing the second? (Or 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc)!
I started guitar when I was 7 years old. I was influenced by several entertainers I saw on TV.

Does music run in your family? Tell us a little about your musical family members.
My mom and Dad both sing and my mom plays piano. My sister sings too and plays flute.

When did you decide to become a professional musician? Was it a gradual decision or was there a defining moment for you?
My decision to strive to be a professional musician started about a year after I first started playing.

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